Well, This Just Pumps Us Full of Confidence.

A New Quinnipiac Univeristy Poll ...... out this morning says Pennsylvanians are doubtful that this fall's special session on property taxes will amount to much. They're also in a decidedly anti-incumbent mood.More than three-quarters of respondents to the poll say property tax reduction is either very or somewhat important to them. But, by a 2-1 margin, they are also skeptical of the General Assembly's reform efforts.Meanwhile, nearly six in 10 respondents disapprove of the Legislature, but nearly the same amount say they approve of their local representatives and senators.We've said it once, we'll say it again: 2006 is going to be a banner year for political reporters.

The state Senate has ...... signed off on Sen. Jeff Piccola's, R-Dauphinlegislation that tweaks thte state's eminent domain law to protect homeowners against excessive government muscle-flexing. The upper chamber voted 49-0 yesterday to approve the measure which forbids — with some exceptions — government agencies from seizing
private property for commercial use.Piccola's bill comes in response to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in the
summer in which the city of New London, Conn., seized 15 homes for an
economic development project.Have we mentioned that he's also running for governor?A Good Time To Be Jack Murtha ...Thanks to his anti-war comments and solid bona fides as an honest-to-goodness war hero, the Johnstown congressman is seeing his political stock rise, The Associated Press reports this morning.On
Wednesday Murtha delivered the House Democrats' response to President Bush's speech
on the war. He appeared paternal as he chastised the administration's
plans for Iraq, even rhetorically asking of the president, "What has he
said that would give him credibility?"Murtha, who rattled Washington last month by
calling for the removal of troops from Iraq, seems to be popping up
everywhere, He's been making TV appearances and is now being cited by reporters as a
leading Democratic opponent of the administration's war policy, the AP reports..

Flavia Auction Watch (tm):It's your last chance to land an evening with the leggy Democratic consultant. Bidding on the charity date closes at high noon today, and with 46 bidders in the pack, the tally is up to $8,210 -- though we're almost certain the psychic toll will be much, much higher.

But That's Still Peanuts ...... compared to the $10,000-a-head that some ... er ... lucky donors are ponying for up for a Republican State Committte fund-raiser this weekend featuring U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and his wife Karen.What does ten-large buy you? A private dinner with la famiglia Santorum and seats at a taping of the Fox Network show Hannity and Colmes, that's what.

In The Blogosphere:Keystone Politics links to a new Pew/IssuesPA poll also showing that Pennsylvanians are un-thrilled with the direction that state is heading in; GrassrootsPa on the latest slapfight in the Casey/Santorum race; A Smoke-Filled Room on who New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzinehas picked to fill his U.S. Senate seat; Above Average Jane on Joe Hoeffel's more or less official announcement that he's running for lieutenant governor in 2006; Philly Future has a list of the free agent pitchers that the Phillies can buy on their way to not making the playoffs in 2006; Tony Phyrillas still has a fairly dim view of the state Legislature; A newly discovered political 'blog from Pittsburgh; PaPundits has some parenting advice; The Weekly Standard offers tips on how the national GOP can further pander to Red State America; Speaking of which, Red State has some not-especially-kind words for Jack Murtha; Wonkette has our daily briefing; DCist looks at the bad weather expected for this weekend; Political Animal on how the U.S. really isn't torturing prisoners -- much; Unsurprisingly, Arianna Huffington was not impressed by yesterday's Bush speech, and have we mentioned how much we dig The Black List?

It Was 25 Years Ago Today ...... that John Lennon was gunned down outside his New York apartment. Capitol Ideas was just a lad of 10 when it happened, but we still vividly recall the sense of loss that overwhelmed some of our older cousins. Within five years, we had become confirmed Lennon fans, and that affection abides to this day. So take a moment and remember the man and his music, if you would.Also, check The Guardian for a comprehensive package on the anniversary of Lennon's death.

Thursday's Gratuitous Soccer Link:We warned you in advance that we might be cranky today if Manchester United came out at the wrong end of its Champions League tie against Portuguese team Benfica.Well, that's exactly what happened as the Red Devils put on a truly pathetic display against the injury-hobbled team, losing 2-1.As a result, we are all kinds of cranky this morning.The defeat marks the first time that United has not qualified for European competition since the 1995-96 season, and it also puts the future of longtime manager Sir Alex Ferguson into doubt. Bad, bad news all around.

Capitol Ideas is traveling to New York tomorrow for the annual Pennsylvania Society festivities, so we won't return to posting until Monday. Have a good weekend, everyone.